Track-mounted brake for braking railway vehicles in a gauge-changing installation

Abstract

 A flange brake for a parking track of a gauge changer with slopes on the approaches, constituted by hydraulic cylinders loaded quickly with low pressure oil under the action of liquid accumulators, the cylinder rods (12) protruding from the rail and interposing in the path of the vehicle wheel flanges, having according to the vehicle speed, a hydraulic station which establishes the opening pressure of emptying non-return valves according to the detected vehicle speed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present specification refers to a patent of invention referring to a flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, the evident purpose of which is to constitute a brake located on a track having the function, on the one hand, of reducing the approach speed and stopping, at a determinate place, a railway vehicle, independently of the own brake of the vehicle, as well as to constitute a brake on track which, incorporated in a gage changer, constitutes the braking link of the railway vehicle in case of existing any incidence of the gage changer, performing the braking operation in a minimal time.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention applies to the railway industry, and it can be also manufactured by the railway auxiliary industry.

RELATED ART

[0003] When a gage change is to be effected, the operation must be inexcusably performed relying on the fact that the train is not bre ked, since if it is braked a series of stresses will be originated impairing, no doubt, the element constituting both the changers and the running.

[0004] When effecting a gage change in a gauge changing station fitted with slopes on the approaches, the railway vehicle must carry always fully loaded the main brake piping, in view of the possibility of an emergency, the vehicle braking being performed by other means outside the brake incorporated in the vehicle.

[0005] Also, to reduce the approach speed of a railway vehicle and carry out its stop at a determinate place independently of the own brake of the vehicle, the railway tracks should have a brake performing the alleged function.

[0006] Nevertheless, up to date nothing is known about a brake that, incorporated in a track, maintains the train braked, this being the function entrusted to it in an adequate way, independently of the brakes installed in the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches as proposed by the invention constitutes per se an evident solution of the present problems on this matter, as it achieves, in a clear and specific way, to reduce the approach speed of railway vehicles and stop them at a determinate place with independence of the own brake of the vehicle, as well as to obviate the existence of the brake incorporated in the railway vehicle, and allow the vehicle to brake when this enters a gage changing station to carry out the necessary shuntings on its shafts as regard the wide of same.

[0008] In a more specific way, the flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, which is the object of this invention, is constituted so that it can be incorporated in any track wherein it is necessary to brake or park railway vehicles, either to avoid uncontrolled slipings on slopes, or carry out, in fixed installations, a protection against an excess passing speed or approach of the vehicles.

[0009] The invention is constituted by a series of hydraulic cylinders fully hiden, located next the rails, with a hydraulic station controlling the force exerted by the railway wheel flanges upon treading on the hydraulic cylinders in question.

[0010] In this way, it is obtained that the kinetic energy of the vehicle turns into works on the hydraulic fluid contained in the cylinders.

[0011] To compensate the force due to the slopes where the changers are installed, it is anticipate to install a flange brake on the track, which has a series of pistons with a combination of unidirectional or check valves for a pair of pistons or cylinders, one in each thread, so that when the wheels tread on them, the pistons descend, so creating an internal pressure which is adjusted from a hydraulic station located in the changing station; logically, by changing this pressure, the retaining force for a pair of pistons and running gear is adjusted.

[0012] These pistons or cylinders are installed along two track threads or lines in the inner part, contacting with the wheel flange, having calculated that both the ideal shape and location rest on relying on a pass of 120 mm, and grouped in blocks of four units, remaining an intermediate void to free the fastening plate of the rail to the wooden rail bearer.

[0013] The necessary oil flows compel to install, as already mentioned, a hydraulic station having a tank of adequate capacity, and two hydraulic pumps, one having 5,5 HP power, in order to generate a regulation pressure up to 150 atm,, and other 20 HP, to generate the necessary flow to lift the pistons.

[0014] Also, 16 accumulators are needed to store a flow enough to reach the brake disposition in three seconds.

[0015] The installation will rely on valves to backfeed highto low pressure circuits, once released by the wheel, in order to place these cylinders in a braking position when the next wheel arrives.

[0016] The flange brake installation must rely on the follwoing equipment to assure both the braking and the regulation:

• High pressure regulating valve for train speed.
• Filling equipment and disposition control for starting the change.
• "Idle running" equipment.
• Control valves for "installation in wait state".
• Braking overcharge equipment.
• Outlet and return pipings
• Train brake control equipment.
• Safety equipment in case of current failure.
• Electrical installation.

[0017] The high pressure regulating valve for train speed acts to avoid overcharges with speeds higher than 3 km/h.

[0018] The filling equipment and disposition control to start the change has a series of accumulators and electrovalves the function of which is to issue an order of "installation in wait state" when accumulators are charged, the backfeeding of the pistons being automatically established.

[0019] The "idle running" equipment is destined to cut off the oil flow when the accumulators are filled and the pumps are, consequently, idle running, and it acts for avoiding the fluid to heat and, therefore, a substantial consumption of energy.

[0020] It is to be specifically pointed out that in this position, all the equipment can be controlled, this being a previous position to "installation in wait state".

[0021] In relation to the "installation in wait state" control valves that, as above-mentioned, is the later position to "idle running", it is designed as the position to be adopted when the train is in the process of changing down, the pistons maintaining a very close position to the wheel flanges, to assure that, if the train would need to be assisted by a braking action, the braking response be immediate.

[0022] The brake overcharge equipment will act when a braking is required and, consequently, the pipings will overcharge for three seconds, so obtaining a very much quick response, but it should be pointed out that after this time, the pressure stabilize, passing to the normal braking position.

[0023] The outlet and return valves must have 42 and 150 atm to accept the necessary flows for filling and slackening with the appropiate speediness which requires the case.

[0024] The train brake control equipment acts to detect whether the engine driver makes use of the brake installed in the train during the change, activating the track brake to, consequently, stop the train.

[0025] The safety equipment is destined to, in case of current failure, act in the hypothesis of a failure in the electric feeding during the braking action, since the oil incorporated in the accumulators can obtain a full braking of the train, all the electrovalves remaining being in a full brake disposition.

[0026] The electric installation gives the braking order and warning to the engine drivers, and it disposes of pushbuttons in the control pits and on the own changer, being combined with the track monos.

[0027] In synthesis, it can be said that when a vehicle enters a track fitted with a flange brake and it is necessary to stop it, the installation operates so that hydraulic cylinders fill with oil under low pressure in a quick way, under the action of liquid accumulators

[0028] Under these conditions, the cylinder rods protrude out of the rail interposing in the path of the vehicle wheel flanges.

[0029] According to the vehicle speed, which is caught by a detector, the hydraulic station establishes an opening pressure for the filling check valves by means of pressure limiting valves.

[0030] Then, the vehicle moves forward on the cylinders, evacuating the volume of liquid contained in these cylinders via the non-return emptying valves at the fixed opening pressure.

[0031] The vehicle will stop after treading the necessary cylinders transforming their initial kinetic energy, or when their residual kinetic energy is not sufficient for move any more rods, the vehicle remaining stationary until a decision is taken to deenergise the cylinders.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] In order to complement this description and aid to a better understanding of the features of the invention, the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification, show in an illustrative but non limitative sense, the following:

[0033] Figure 1 shows a plan view in outline of an exchanger to which U.I.C. gage tracks accede, while, on the other hand, there are tracks fitted with the conventional gage utilized by the Spanish National Railway Network, the flange brake which is the object of the invention being incorporated in both tracks.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a more detailed view of the different elements incorporated in the tracks and their dependent installations, attaining the operation of the flange brake.

[0035] Figure 3 shows a detailed view of a brake module or cylinder socle, configuring the flange brake of the invention.

[0036] Figure 4 shows a front duly sectioned elevational view of the object illustrated in Fig. 3, along B/C.

[0037] Figure 5 shows a view along D corresponding to a detail of the cylinder socle or module.

[0038] Figure 6 shows, lastly, a block diagram of the several installations used for operating the flange brake.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0039] From these Figures, it can be seen how the flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, which is the object of the invention, configures starting from using track sections preferably installed on wooden rail bearers, which'can dispose of an U.I.C. gage (4), or a gage as utilized by RENFE (5), located on both sides of a changer (1), which has to control pits (2), (2') between which there is located a pressure group or station (3), disposing of the relative conducts connected with the cylinder modules (9), configuring their assembly and application of the flange brake, object of the invention.

[0040] The hydraulic cylinder modules (9) are loaded with low pressure oil in a quick way, by the action of corresponding liquid accumulators (29) and, under this situation, the cylinder rods protrude out of the rails, interposing in the path of the vehicle wheels flanges.

[0041] According to the vehicle speed, which is caught by a detector located on the track, the signal of which is issued by the acting station, the hydraulic station establishes an opening pressure for the emtying non-return valves (25) by the action of pressure limiting valves (28).

[0042] The vehicle continues advancing on the cylinders (9), evacuating the volume of liquid contained in the own cylinders, via the emptying non-return valves (26), at the fixed opening pressure.

[0043] The vehicle stops after treading on the cylinders (9) in a sufficient number for transforming all the initial kinetic energy, or when the residual kinetic energy is not sufficient for move any more rods of the cylinder modules (9).

[0044] In this way, the vehicle will remain stationary until a decision is taken to deenergise the installation.

[0045] As it can be checked, the invention of the flange brake is configured starting from a series of modules (9) fitted with hydraulic cylinders which can be concealed, which are located close to the rails and a hydraulic station (3) controlling the force exerted by the railway wheel flanges upon treading on said cylinders.

[0046] In this manner, the kinetic energy of the vehicle, as above mentioned, turns into a work on the hydraulic fluid contained in the cylinders.

[0047] In a broad sense, in Figure 1 it can be seen specifically the existence of a changer (1), disposing of control pits (2), (2'), having a pressure group or station (3) and to this assembly an U.I.C. gage section (4) is incorporated on one side, while on the other side, a RENFE type gage is incorporated (5).

[0048] Figure 2 shows, firstly, the pressure group or station (3) having a series of conducts (8) directly connected to the cylinder modules (9), located on the rails (25), having a distribution at the ends (6), (7); liquid accumulators (29), emptying non-return valves (26), filling non-return valves (27) and pressure limiting valves (28).

[0049] Figure 3 shows the cylinder socle or module (9) having a block (11), which disposes of relative orifices (10) designed to allow the rails screw to pass, and some supplements (13).

[0050] In this same Figure, it can be seen the screwed union (23) and the non-return links (24), discriminately referenced.

[0051] Figure 5 shows a detail of the object illustrated in Figure 3, showing a scraper (22), and rod (12), an hexagonal screw (20) with a washer (19), as well as a sheet iron (16), a bar (18), and the mentioned block (11) put in a 90° angle in relation to the plate (17).

[0052] From the detail shown in Figure 5, it can be seen said hydraulic cylinders having pivots (14) and springs (15).

[0053] Figure 6 shows a block diagram of the elements used in the assembly of the installation necessary to operate the flange brake, the railway vehicle itself being referenced (35); the speed detector starting from the action of which the braking control system (31) will begin to perform its function in relation to the orders issued to the hydraulic station (32), counting lastly on the installation of the hydraulic cylinders on the track, the module of which has been referenced (3).

[0054] The user's module is referenced (30).

[0055] It is not considered necessary to extend more this description for an expert in the art to understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived from it.

[0056] The materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements will be open to variation, provided that it does not imply any alteration to the essence of the invention.

[0057] The terms under which this specification has been described should be taken in an ample and non limitative sense.

Claims

1.- A flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches of those destined to carry out the braking of a railway vehicle without applying the brake incorporated in the own vehicle, or acting also in the event of detecting the engine driver's action on the braking system incorporated in the vehicle, characterized in that it is constituted from the positioning of hydraulic pistons incorporated in the two threads of the track at its lower part, which contact with the wheel flange, disposing of a void to release the fastening plate of the rail to a wooden bearer, the hydraulic cylinders being grouped in modules of four units and the groups of four being connected to a hydraulic station fitted with a tank, fitted with two hydraulic pumps generating the adjustment of a pressure and a flow to lift same, and disposing of 16 accumulators having a flow necessary to operate the brake in an immediate practically way, counting on backfeeding valves of the hight to low pressure circuits for filling the cylinders, high pressure regulating valve per train speed, filling equipment and disposition control to iniciate the change, an idle running equipment, installation in state of wait control valve, braking overcharge equipment, as well as outlets and return pipings, a braking control of the train equipment, a safety equipment in case of current failure, and the corresponding electric installation with pushbuttons in the control pits.

2.- A flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, according to claim 1, characterized in that the regulating valve per high speed has the function of obviate overcharges with speeds higher than 3 km/h, the filling and control equipment disposing of a series of accumulators and electrovalves establishing, when loaded, the order of installation in wait state, backfeeding the pistons.

3.- A flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, according to claim 1, characterized in that the idle running equipment will act cutting off the oil flow through the installations when the accumulators are filled and the pumps are idle running, so allowing to control the operation of all the equipment constituting the brake position previous to the installation in wait state.

4.- A flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, according to claim 1, characterized in that the installation in wait state is constituted by control valves allowing the pistons to maintain in a position close to the wheel flange, acting in an immediate way when it is necessary to brake.

5.- A flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, according to claim 1, characterized in that the braking overcharge equipment will overcharge the pipings for three seconds at the moment of carry out the braking operation, establishing standard pressures after elapsing three seconds, passing to the normal braking position.

6.- A flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, according to claim 1, characterized in that it disposes of outlet and return pipings accepting the flows which are necessary for filling and slackening at the adequate time.

7.- A flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, according to claim 1, characterized in that it disposes of a braking control equipment of the train which act upon detecting the use of the brake incorporated in the train during the change, activating the track brake and stopping the train.

8.- A flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, according to claim 1, characterized in that the safety equipment, in case of current failure, will act by means of the oil contained in the accumulators, all the electrovalves resting in a full brake disposition.

9.- A flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, according to claim 1, characterized in that the electric installations has pushbuttons located in the control puits and on the own changer, combined with the track monos, giving braking and warning orders to the engine drivers.

10.- A flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, according to any of the preceding - claims, characterized in that it is fitted with filling valves (27), pressure limiting valves (28), emptying non-return valves (26) and end distribution elements (6), (7), disposing of liquid accumulators (29) cooperating with the cylinder modules (9).

11.- A flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, according to any of the preceding - claims, characterized in that the cylinder socle or module (9) is constituted by a block (11) having a supplement (13) and screwed unions (23), having circular orifices (10) for passing the rail screws, as well as a rod (12) and a scrapper (22).

12.- A flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, according to claim 10, characterized in that it has an o-ring (21), and a hexagonal screw (20) fitted with a washer (19), and also an iron plate (16), a bar (18), a block (11) and a plate (17).

13.- A flange brake on a parking track and gage changers with slopes on the approaches, according to claims 11 and 12, characterized in that it disposes of pivots (14) and springs (15) joined to the cylinders.

Drawing